Dolly, Rogers Hit Road, Memory Lane Together

Singers Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers say they are putting their individual careers on hold to hit the road together, kicking off a 70-city tour in a city that holds some special memories.

The two open tonight at the new $640-million Mirage Hotel, playing a week while illusionists Siegfried and Roy and their white tigers take a breather. The illusionists perform three weeks each month at the posh Strip resort, with name entertainers filling the other week.

Rogers and Parton took time out Wednesday night to meet the media and recall some old memories about this gaming capital.

Rogers, a longtime friend of Mirage owner Steve Wynn, recounted another era two decades ago when he served as Wynn’s entertainment director at the Golden Nugget Hotel, in downtown’s Glitter Gulch.

“It’s nice to know I’ve got a job, no matter how bad I do,” Rogers joked, referring to his long friendship with Wynn.

The pair drew a crowd Wednesday night as they walked through the crowded hotel and casino, with delegates to a petroleum convention doing a double take at the two and their entourage of security guards and staff members.

Although the show is billed as the beginning of a 70-city tour, the pair said they’ve played four engagements--three in Canada and one in Denver--tuning up for their Vegas opening.

The two said being together again brought back some warm memories.

Parton recounted her first television shows for the Nashville Network in 1972 and 1973.

“Kenny was a big star, and I couldn’t get any people on my show,” she recalled. “Kenny said ‘I’ll do it,’ and I’ll never forget it. He’s always been there for me as a friend.”